Pairs or connectors

Read somewhere once that the average winning hand is two pair which is probably about right except that they never win for me. I'm getting to the point that I would much rather play connectors (suited preferably) over anything but the largest pocket pairs. I can't begin to count how many times I've made a set (or trips) and lost to the straight or flush. The connectors I've had the best luck with have been 9-10 and Q-J.

Makes you sick when you think about the number times you have 2 pair and then the flush or straight "maker" hit the board. Hate this situation as you cannot really convince yourself to fold the top 2 pair nor can you beat the straight or flush. It's gotten to the point that I grimace whenever I get a pocket pair...

Well if you seem to lose really often on the set or trips, you might need to just bet more to run those chasers off. I like playing pairs much more than connectors because i know after the flop what situation i'm in. If I hit trips I feel confident, and if not, and there are a few overcards, I wont risk too much. With connectors, you're gonna find youself chasing and waiting for your straight and seemingly never getting it.

I play mostly limit games for cash and as such you can't really get rid of the chasers. In pot or no limit this is certainly a good strategy. I should have clarified that this was primarily for limit games...

suited connectors have almost an 80% chance of pairing or flush or straight coming into the flop.

Lets say Jc 10c...

6 cards for a straight up and down, four of each card.
XXX10JXXX

11 clubs left in the deck.

3 Jacks
3 tens

That totals 41 possible outs. You know two cards pre flop, so your implied odds are 41/50. This is why the pros play this hand so much. If anyone sees an error in my math let me know.

Matt

WOW i wish